CDA mulls over modifying Capital’s master plan

Work on updating the federal capital master plan is almost completed and will be presented to the Cabinet committee for further consideration and approval within a month.

The proposed modification are expected to address a number of urban and rural issues of the Capital including extension of roads, relocation of illegal slums, regularization of private housing schemes and preservation of green belts and parks.

Chief Commissioner / Chairman CDA Amir Ali Ahmed on Monday brushed aside the impression that Islamabad has urban population only and said that 60 percent of the federal capital consists rural area.

The Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) said regular periodical revision of Master Plan of Islamabad was required after every 20 years but the task was not done for multiple decades. Neglecting proper up-gradation of the master plan has paved way to a number of urban problems including pollen allergy, traffic hazards and environmental degradation. The modified master plan is hoped to address all such issues.

He said there is a need to regularize the housing schemes and cooperative societies and a separate department would be established by June this year.

To a question about expansion of Islamabad Expressway, the Chairman CDA said a committee comprising Deputy Commissioner and Member Planning CDA has been constituted for negotiation with owners of private housing societies along Expressway for contribution of their share in the project.

He said that Capital Development Authority has constituted another committee on relocation and resettlement of Kachi abadis. The Committee is consisting Director Urban Planning, Director Regional Planning, Director Housing Societies and Director Architecture.

Currently there are 10 recognized slums where people are living in deplorable conditions without proper urban services. Sectors F-6, F-7, G-7, G-8 etc have several slums. The Prime Minister office has issued directives to CDA to come up with a proposal to this effect. Once the available plans are finalized and refined a summary for CDA board is expected within the coming week and subsequently the matter will be sent to cabinet for formal approval. Satellite image of all katchi abadies has already been secured through SUPARCO. So that boundaries are identified and scope of work is determined. The image is dated 25-3-2019. While formulating the proposals satellite imagery will be utilized as base line for this social housing. This initiative will be a step in the drive for social housing.